From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Middle TN

Im confused. I see a lot of people starting seeds and trying out new germination chambers but isnt it too early? What do you do with the sprouts that have started? Surely they cant stay in those lil starting cups till spring?
Tammy

2/28/2010 9:16:41 AM

El Paso TX.

For the most part those that are running testing right now discard the results (not to worry the seeds that they are using are normally ones they have an abundent supply of from their plants from previous years that were underperformers or unknown genetics or from last season that they want to ensure are viable, etc. (they aren't using up their best seeds !)- Figure better to use up a few of those seeds to make sure things are working properly before using those rare seeds that you don't have backups for if something were to go wrong and to ensure that you are ready when the time comes!!

2/28/2010 9:44:19 AM

Clayton, Ohio, USA

Don't be afraid to start earlier than most on this board. If I were as far south as you, I'd probably try to get my plants out 2 or 3 weeks earlier -maybe more- than growers in the northern zone. I'd want to get a fruit pollinated and growing before the awful July and August heat. Just my opinion.

2/28/2010 11:02:23 AM

Section, AL

Bodene's right. I like to start seed on Apr 16 and plant on May1. I'm pollinating around 6/22. Beat the heat. Look to the other posts from the southeast. I might even start earlier this year. I'm three hours south of you.

2/28/2010 11:22:59 PM

Sherwood, Arkansas

Ten Tam I am over by Little Rock AR. The last two years I have started mine inside about March 15th. I use a two gallon pot to plant the sprouted seed in, room for the roots without alot of trama to the root ball when transplanted to the patch. Last Freeze Date for the Little Rock area is April 19th. If you put them out before the LFD make sure you cover them with a small hoop house to help retain warmth and keep the soil warm. By the way if you have a black tarp or pond liner you could cover the pumpkin planting spot/patch to help warm the soil starting now.

3/1/2010 9:50:12 AM

Corbin, KY

Last year the seeds were germinated on April 25 and were transplanted to the patch on May 5th. Your area maybe a week or two ahead of us weather wise. Be sure that you have some kind of protection ready in case of a late spring frost. Two extra weeks would help when it comes to weight off time at TN fair and Bear Wallow KY

3/1/2010 12:50:48 PM

Anchorage, Alaska

Clear plastic warms the soil much better than black plastic. Also, you can cause the weeds to sprout earlier with clear plastic and then get rid of a huge crop at once. Without it they germinate over a period of weeks.

3/1/2010 6:45:50 PM

Middle TN

Ok, now I understand. I just couldnt for the life of me figure out why I was seeing all those new sprouts in so many diarys when I knew it was just too early to be starting seeds. I thought maybe I was missing some vital information haha
Thanks for all the tips. I appreciate all the help I can get :)
Tim, Thank you for sharing your starting dates, Im sure our starting dates will be about the same. I dont dare to hope to have anything worthy of Bear Wallow but Im gonna give it my very best shot.

3/2/2010 2:12:05 AM